Our next session of Reading Theatre is on June 11. We will be reading Vimy by Vern Thiessen. Reading begins at 2pm at the Plaskett Gallery so please show up by 1:45pm if you wish to have a chance to read.

ABOUT VIMY

France, 1917. Four wounded Canadian soldiers recover in a field hospital in the wake of the battle for Vimy Ridge, waiting to find out where they’ll be sent next: back home or back to the front. Along with a young nurse from Nova Scotia, they share their stories, reasons for fighting, and treasured memories. In Vimy, Governor General’s Literary Award–winner Vern Thiessen brings us a classic play that is not about war, but a reflection of the everyday lives of soldiers—their hopes and their dreams—and how actions can define individuals and nations.

ABOUT VERN THIESSEN

Vern Thiessen is one of Canada’s most produced playwrights. His plays have been seen across Canada, the UK, the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, and has been translated into five languages. His works include Of Human Bondage, Vimy, Einstein’s Gift (GG winner), Lenin’s Embalmers (GG finalist), Apple, and Shakespeare’s Will. He has been produced off-Broadway five times. Vern is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Dora Mavor Moore and Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards for Outstanding New Play, the Carol Bolt Award, the Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award, the City of Edmonton Arts Achievement Award, the University of Alberta Alumni Award of Excellence, the Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition, and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, Canada’s highest honour for a playwright. He was also a finalist for the Siminovitch Prize in Playwriting. Vern received his BA from the University of Winnipeg and an M.F.A. from the University of Alberta. He has served as president of both the Playwrights Guild of Canada and the Writers Guild of Alberta. For six years he served as Artistic Director of Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre, one of Canada’s leading new-play companies.

Reading Theatre is created for those with a passion for live theatre. A live play reading of iconic plays over the ages. All are welcome and encouraged — from the seasoned professional to the inquisitive amateur and everyone in between.

Show up and read, or listen to others read these incredible shows.  A short discussion may take place…or not.  This is an event led by the cast and audience.

Readers will be chosen just before the play reading begins and will be cast by those who show up and express an interest in being involved.  Some roles may be double cast.

This event is being led by Allan Morgan, Senior Artist in Residence and Vancouver theatre scene stalwart. We’d love to see you there!

ABOUT ALLAN MORGAN

Allan has been a stage actor for more than thirty years. Some highlights include appearing in London, GB, Adelaide Australia, Wellington NZ and San Francisco, all with The Overcoat. He appeared for several seasons at Bard on the Beach, notably in The Tempest as Prospero, as well as King John, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing.

He has toured across Canada with the Electric Company in Studies in Motion. He has appeared at The Belfry, notably in The Drawer Boy, Dirty Blonde, and I am My Own Wife for which he received the Victoria Critic’s Award for best performance. Other favourites include Red, Thinking of Yu, and Abraham Lincoln Goes to the Theatre for ATP in Calgary.

Allan has two solo plays: I Walked the Line; and PRIDE: For the Young Gay, the Un-Gay and the Jaded Queen in All of Us.